Granted Patent B2

US 7,344,396 · App. 11/210,254 · Granted Mar 18, 2008

Abstract

Claims (28)

1. A cable connection assembly for coupling a cable to an apparatus, the cable connection assembly comprising:

(a) a main body defining an inner cavity adapted to receive a pressurized fluid and receive at least a portion of the cable therein;

(b) an attachment mechanism adapted to couple the main body to the cable; and

(c) a seal assembly adapted to sealingly couple the main body to the apparatus

(d) an inlet port passing through the main body for permitting the pressurized fluid to be injected into the inner cavity;

(e) a valve assembly coupled to the main body, the valve assembly having a sealing member moveable between a closed position in which the sealing member impedes fluid from flowing through the inlet port and an open position in which the sealing member permits fluid to flow through the inlet port for receipt by the cable, wherein the sealing member is a sleeve having an injection port, wherein when the sealing member is in the closed position, the injection port is not disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port, and wherein when the sealing member is in the open position, the injection port is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port.

2. The cable connection assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a fastening mechanism for coupling the main body to the apparatus.

3. The cable connection assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seal assembly includes a seal adapted to be sandwiched between the apparatus and the main body.

4. The cable connection assembly of claim 1 , wherein the main body further includes a sealing surface, the sealing surface adapted to engage and sandwich a seal between the sealing surface and the cable to seal the main body to the cable.

5. The cable connection assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is adapted to be rotated between the closed position and the open position.

6. The cable connection assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is adapted to move linearly between the closed position and the open position.

7. The cable connection assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a locking member removably coupled to the main body, the locking member adapted to block the movement of the sealing member from either the closed position or the open position.

8. The cable connection assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first annular seal and a second annular seal, the first and second annular seals adapted to circumferentially engage an inner surface of the sleeve on each side of the injection port.

9. A cable connection assembly for coupling a cable to an apparatus, the cable connection assembly comprising:

(a) a main body defining an inner cavity adapted to receive a pressurized fluid and receive at least a portion of the cable therein;

(b) an attachment mechanism adapted to couple the main body to the cable, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a threaded portion adapted to sealingly couple to a threaded portion of an insulation layer of the cable; and

(c) a seal assembly adapted to sealingly couple the main body to the apparatus.

10. The cable connection assembly of claim 9 , further comprising an annular shaped recess disposed on an inner surface of the main body, the annular shaped recess sized and shaped to receive a portion of the seal assembly therein.

11. The cable connection assembly of claim 9 , further comprising an inlet port passing through the main body for permitting the pressurized fluid to be injected into the inner cavity of the main body and a valve assembly interfaced with the inlet port, the valve assembly configurable between a closed position impeding fluid flow through the inlet port and an open position permitting fluid flow through the inlet port.

12. The cable connection assembly of claim 9 , wherein the main body further includes a sealing surface, the sealing surface adapted to engage a seal to sandwich the seal between the sealing surface and the cable to seal the main body to the cable.

13. A cable connection assembly for coupling a cable to an apparatus, the cable connection assembly comprising:

(a) a main body defining an inner cavity adapted to receive a pressurized fluid and receive at least a portion of the cable therein;

(b) a coupling assembly for coupling a first end of the main body to the cable;

(c) a seal assembly for sealing a second end of the main body to the apparatus;

(d) an inlet port passing through the main body for permitting the pressurized fluid to be injected into the inner cavity of the main body; and

(e) a sealing member coupled to the main body, the sealing member moveable between a closed position in which the sealing member impedes fluid from flowing through the inlet port and an open position in which the sealing member permits fluid to flow through the inlet port for receipt by the cable, wherein the sealing member is adapted to move linearly between the closed position and the open position.

14. The cable connection assembly of claim 13 , wherein the sealing member is adapted to move linearly in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cable connection assembly between the closed position and the open position.

15. The cable connection assembly of claim 13 , wherein the sealing member is a sleeve having an injection port, wherein when the sealing member is in the closed position, the injection port is not in fluid communication with the inlet port, and wherein when the sealing member is in the open position, the injection port is in fluid communication with the inlet port.

Assignments (25)